SECRET Troubles peacemaker Brendan Duddy was not afraid to take risks for peace, mourners at his funeral heard yesterday.
Mr Duddy (81) spent more than 30 years working behind the scenes as a mediator between the British government and the IRA.
Through his personal relationships with the late Martin McGuinness and British MI6 agent, Michael Oatley, he developed back channels of communication which endured even as the British government publicly refused to negotiate with republicans.
A leading businessman and hotelier, Mr Duddy played a key role in secret talks from the early 1970s until the 1990s. By analysing and interpreting messages, with others, he helped bring about the IRA’s 1994 cessation which led the way to the Good Friday Agreement.
Several hundred people, including many political leaders, attended Requiem Mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry yesterday to pay their respects to Mr Duddy who died last Friday.
The Republic's President, Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach, Enda Kenny were represented by their respective aides-de-camp.
SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood along with party MLA, Mark H Durkan and Foyle MP, Mark Durkan attended while Sinn Féin was represented by Derry MLAs Raymond McCartney and Elisha McCallion as well as retiring West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty.
Former People before Profit MLA, Eamonn McCann and retired MI6 agent, Michael Oatley were present as well as former SDLP leader John Hume and his wife, Pat.
Church leaders who attended included the Church of Ireland dean of St Patrick’s in Dublin, Rev William Morton and Presbyterian Minister, Rev David Latimer who read one of the Prayers of the Faithful.
Fellow peace negotiators, Irish News columnist, Denis Bradley and businessman, Noel Gallagher wre also among the mourners.
Journalists and writers who attended included BBC reporter Peter Taylor who made a documentary about Mr Duddy in 2008.
In a brief eulogy at the start of Requiem Mass, Mr Taylor told mourners that Mr Duddy deserved a Nobel Prize for his work for peace.
Chief celebrant, Fr Chris Ferguson told mourners Mr Duddy’s restaurants in Derry became the venue for late night political discussion in the city as the Troubles took hold.
“Brendan knew the value of creating and maintaining trust on all sides which would allow the seeds planted through dialogue to produce the peace process.
“Brendan possessed the determination and persistence to remain actively involved for many decades in the task of creating the opportunity for dialogue which could lead to peace,” Fr Ferguson said.
The Derry priest said Mr Duddy saw his role as helping people see opportunities for peace through “low key diplomacy.”
He said: “Not only was Brendan not afraid to take risks, importantly he was open to the opinion of others.”
Fr Ferguson said the Derry man’s strong faith and love of running gave him the reassurance and guidance he needed to keep the space for dialogue open.
“Once the talking had started, Brendan knew his job was done,” he said.
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PRESBYTERIAN minister David Latimer has appealed for people in Northern Ireland to work together before it is too late.
The Rev Latimer, from First Derry Presbyterian Church, who attended the funeral of Mr Duddy, also paid public tribute to his peacemaking efforts.
He added: "We have suffered together and felt pain together, we now need to move forward together - for we all belong to this place.
"There can be no going back because we have come too far. Work together before it is too late."
During the Troubles, First Derry was frequently a target for attack; sometimes missiles were launched from the other side of Derry's historic walls and paint bombs thrown.
Mr Latimer has been a conciliatory figure in a largely nationalist area and has spoken openly about his friendship with late Sinn Féin leader Martin McGuinness.
